How Common Is Child Sexual Abuse?

Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse that involves a person, or a group of people, engaging in sexual activity with a minor.

A minor cannot consent to any form of sexual activity. For this reason, any form of sexual activity that involves a child is a crime.

Sexual abuse of children is still prevalent even though abusers face criminal convictions and prison.  The child sexual abuse attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark Yablonovich explain more below.

What Are The Different Forms Of Child Sexual Abuse?

Some of the most common forms of child sexual abuse are as follows:

• A grown adult exposing themselves to a child.
• An individual masturbating in front of a child.
• An individual forcing a child to masturbate in front of them.
• A child being fondled by an adult.
• The sharing of pornographic material that contains images/videos of children.
• A grown adult engaging in intercourse with a child.
• A grown adult engaging in a sexually explicit conversation with a child.

Every form of child sexual abuse can, and almost always will lead to long-term consequences for the victim. Some of the long-term consequences of child sex abuse are as follows:

• Sexually Transmitted Infections/Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Self-Harm
• Alcoholism
• Poor Self-Esteem
• Pregnancy
• Substance Abuse
• Severe Anxiety
• Sleep Disorders
• Panic Attacks
• Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Each one of these consequences can prevent a victim of child sexual abuse from living a healthy, productive life that aligns with their aims and goals.

How Common Is Child Sexual Abuse?

Child sexual abuse is far too common.Some of the most notable statistics regarding child sexual abuse and its prevalence are as follows:

• On average, one child out of ten will experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18.
• Children between the ages of 12 and 17 are the most likely to experience abuse. Sixty-six percent of sexual abuse victims are in this age group, while 34 percent are under 12-years-old.
• Disabled children are 2.9 times more likely to be sexually abused than non-disabled children.
• On a global scale, 3% to 29% of men experienced sexual abuse as a child.
• On a global scale, 7% to 36% of women experienced sexual abuse as a child.
• Every nine minutes, a child protective agency determines that there is evidence of child sexual abuse.

Each of these statistics paints an unfortunate picture of child sexual abuse and its prevalence.

Why Is Child Sexual Abuse Still Under-Reported?

Though sexual abuse of a minor is a crime, many of those who have been abused do not report their abuse and, as such, never receive the justice they deserve.

Some of the most common reasons why children do not report their sexual abuse are as follows:

• The perpetrator is well-liked by their family, friends, or community, and the child fears that no one will believe their claims.
• The child does not understand what has happened and lacks the ability to express what occurred and what they are feeling.
• The perpetrator has threatened the child to keep them from telling an authority figure about the abuse that has been committed.

Many children choose not to report their abuse due to one of the reasons outlined above.

Call the Law Offices of Mark Yablonovich Today

Child sexual abuse is unfortunately common and deeply destructive. Speak with a child sexual abuse lawyer today, and we will assist you in obtaining the justice that you deserve.